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mozartrules

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  1. I have been happy with my PWD + Bridge. Before eLyric I did have issues with getting things to work, but things have been good once I installed eLyric on the server. The iPhone app isn't that great but I was very happy when they released the iPad app. The iPad app has some bugs but they don't get in the way of my listening. I run a simple wired 100Mb network from server (admittedly bigger than what most people use - Sandy Bridge 2600K with 16Gb RAM - but that is probably not relevant). Redbook and the couple of 24/192 and 24/96 files I have all sound great running the PWD into Pass Aleph 30 feeding Quad 2805. I am thrilled with the sound and accept the software issues (I do programming at work and life is tough on the bleeding edge).
  2. There are plenty of them on eBay. The integration with iTunes on your computer works well. Run analog out into your preamp for now to see how it works for you, then get a DAC with the digital out from the Apple if you want to improve quality. If your iPod is a touch then you already have an awesome remote but you can also control it from iTunes on your computer. You will need a monitor for the initial setup. You can choose to sync your music to the Apple TV (you can then listen without the computer being on) or stream from the computer. This gets you going for very little money. The new Apple TV lacks analog out which forces you to get a DAC now and I think there are some 44/48kHz issues.
  3. Given the need for this to be user friendly I would consider the standard $1k Sonos setup and put the actual files on an existing computer or a cheap Dell. The remote application (which also works on an iPhone if they have that) will make it much more likely that wife+daughter will love the system and it is nice that you don't have to have the TV on to select music. You could then use the SPDIF output from the model 90 in the main room and use the model 120 to have music somewhere else too. Sonos isn't high-end, but it is good enough with a good DAC. You don't mention speakers, are they included in the $3.5k?
  4. Simply look at the pictures of the back at http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/. Because they added additional inputs for the Pre and HDR there was no room for the XLR connector needed for AES/EBU. http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/system1/digital-analog-converter/dac1-usb/photos http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/system1/digital-analog-converter/dac1-pre/photos http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/system1/digital-analog-converter/dac1-hdr/rear-view I am actually more upset that they didn't make at least one of the coax connectors BNC. They told us how it is the superior connector when explaining why it was the only coax on the original DAC1! (I am running M2Tech Hi-face BNC -> BNC on original DAC1)
  5. The sound isn't for everyone (It is a little too analytical for me), but the Benchmark DAC 1 is great value for money and has flexible input/output. They keep their value pretty well so the original non-USB still goes for 600-700 used and it isn't hard to find as it is a widespread product. You can use the volume control or use fixed level outputs (single ended and balanced). I have the Benchmark fed from an iMac via Toslink at present (and BNC from an Oppo 83). It is my preamp and feeds an Pass Aleph and a set of 2805s, I think most people would consider it the weakest link in my system. It has served me well though I am considering an upgrade (but that will involve spending more money). I will shortly move to Windows for non-sound related reasons and will use a Hiface to run that to the BNC input and change the Oppo to use the optical (but I was thinking about the Lynx card since the Benchmark has that input as well.
  6. I have been using iTunes (on iMac) to a Benchmark DAC-1 for the last two years, but some changes (Windows Media Center though it will be rare use) and a general desire to upgrade has me thinking about moving to a headless Windows 7 box. The AIFF files reside on a second computer and will be accessed via wired network. The CAPS article was very interesting and the Lynx EAS16(e) seems to be the way to go. I will want a faster processor and that means going with the A-Tech Mini-Client 2500 http://www.atechfabrication.com/products/mini_client_2500.htm which can passively cool an E8400 (though I hope they come with a version for the i3 530 as soon as Intel releases the mini ITX board). Is there any issues with this choice other than the higher cost? Playback software is a little harder since remote control is essential with a headless unit. I really like the iTunes remote and was considering getting an iPad. You recommend J River 14 but it looks as if the iPod remote application is crippled because of missing parts in the server API. Do I lose anything going for MediaMonkey where you can use the actual Apple remote application? I am like most of us a "bit" paranoid. (rest of system: Oppo BD83 also into Benchmark, Pass Aleph 30, Quad 2805)
  7. Try this for a wide range in age and instruments and should give you an idea what you like. Generally great sound, but focus on great music. I own these specific recordings, substitute at your own risk except the four marked with [*] where no substitutions should be made. Vivaldi: 4 Seasons (Sparf, Drottningholm) - BIS Bach: English Suites (Andra Schiff) - Decca Mozart: Piano Concerto #20++ (Curzon) - Decca Mozart: Clarinet Concerto (King, ECO, Tate) - Hyperion Beethoven: Symph #5+7 (Kleiber) - DG (also as SACD) [*] Beethoven: Rasumovsky Quartets (Borodin Q) - EMI Verdi: Requiem (Atlanta, Shaw) - Telarc Brahms/Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos (Heifetz) - RCA (also on SACD) [*] Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos #1-4 (Ashkenazy) - Decca Elgar: Cello Concerto and Sea Pictures (duPre, Barbirolli) - EMI [*] Puccini: Tosca (Callas, diStefano, de Sabata) - EMI [*]
  8. Whatever you do stay away from RAID0 (but you knew that), the only purpose of that is speed and the problem is that you are done if any single drive fails. I am also using an iMac 20" because it is easy to use and really quiet. I simply use the internal 500Gb HD, but it should be simple enough to put a 1Gb drive in. Relying only on the internal disk makes for an easier setup and keeps power use well controlled. I then use two external 500Gb disks to make regular copies (need to start storing one of them off-site). The advantage of that compared to a RAID5 solution is that I also guard against user error, the probability that I would do something silly and wipe my music collection is at least as high as that of a disk failure. The backup drives are dirt cheap and doesn't have to be powered up all the time (I am a strng believer in reducing my energy use).
  9. The iMac is a bit more than the mini, but it is absolutely quiet and the screen is absolutely gorgeous (it is also my DVD player since I don't have a TV, the Benchmark is happy to process the output from the Apple when playing DVDs). I am amazed that Apple have managed to make the iMac as silent as they have, it is very similar in noise level (almost impossible to detect whether the computer is running without touching it) to my home-built PC but that one resorts to a mega sized heatsink without a fan and hard drives suspended in elastic bands! I have mine with a 500Gb internal drive which is where I have all my music (the time when I have more than 1500 CDs will be when I have replaced the computer, I have about 700 now). Having everything internal also makes the energy management simpler since you know that the iMac can control the devices well. I then use an two 500Gb external drives for backup, alternating them so I will have a decent backup of music even if one backup drive fails.
  10. I prefer to use the Artist field for the composer simply because iTunes (like everything else) makes it natural to use that field. I then put the artist(s) in the comment field which makes it very simply to use for search and also makes it trivial to have many artists (solists, conductor, orchestra, choir). My preference for multi CD works is simply to edit the tracknumber, total tracks and disc number (do that last). That means that it shows as a single album which really feels more natural. Both of these do require some editing, but you have to edit whatever you do since Classical music is so inconsistently tagged.
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